José Pérez
@jcperezm.bsky.social
Technology enthusiast.
IT Support Manager.
Hobbyist Gamedev.
PICO-8 Fan 🕹️
Currently writing on gamedevpills.com
IT Support Manager.
Hobbyist Gamedev.
PICO-8 Fan 🕹️
Currently writing on gamedevpills.com
2024 laysoffs estimation is at 14,600 just after a 2023 lineup of massive AAA titles, including Tears of the kingdom, baldurs gate 3.
2025 layoffs estimation is at 3,563 and the lineup is 33/33/33 between AAA, AA and Indie games
I can clearly see a pattern of industry transformation. #goty #games
2025 layoffs estimation is at 3,563 and the lineup is 33/33/33 between AAA, AA and Indie games
I can clearly see a pattern of industry transformation. #goty #games
Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better: Lessons from the Industry’s Transformation
Videogame industry is suffering a transformation process, that could be easily read as a crisis.
open.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Reposted by José Pérez
I guess it's chibi, gameboy, pixelart metroid time again.
4 colors
160x144px
4 colors
160x144px
December 8, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I guess it's chibi, gameboy, pixelart metroid time again.
4 colors
160x144px
4 colors
160x144px
Reposted by José Pérez
December 6, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Solo gamedev is overwhelming. I cut through the noise with 5 rules for those willing to start learning but lost on the way to see a realistic path.
[SPOILER]
1. Why small engines beat big ones for learning the fundamentals
2. Logic first, aesthetics later.
#gamedev #indiedev #SoloDev #programming
[SPOILER]
1. Why small engines beat big ones for learning the fundamentals
2. Logic first, aesthetics later.
#gamedev #indiedev #SoloDev #programming
5 Things To Know Before Start Solo Gamedev
The Non-Obvious Advice: Why You Should Skip the Art and Learn Linear Algebra First
open.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Solo gamedev is overwhelming. I cut through the noise with 5 rules for those willing to start learning but lost on the way to see a realistic path.
[SPOILER]
1. Why small engines beat big ones for learning the fundamentals
2. Logic first, aesthetics later.
#gamedev #indiedev #SoloDev #programming
[SPOILER]
1. Why small engines beat big ones for learning the fundamentals
2. Logic first, aesthetics later.
#gamedev #indiedev #SoloDev #programming
Quick prototypes and mechanics development are even more enjoyable when you have assets.
This deal is huge!
Happy coding this Christmas.
#gamedev
This deal is huge!
Happy coding this Christmas.
#gamedev
10,000 Game Assets by Chequered Ink
10k Handmade Assets For Your Games!
ci.itch.io
December 6, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Quick prototypes and mechanics development are even more enjoyable when you have assets.
This deal is huge!
Happy coding this Christmas.
#gamedev
This deal is huge!
Happy coding this Christmas.
#gamedev
Reposted by José Pérez
Reposted by José Pérez
December 6, 2025 at 9:50 AM
PICO-8 Dev environment is lovely, but if you want to unlock all the potential and create games faster you need to do some changes.
Are you ready to leave other engines behind? 🤓
#gamedev #pico8 #indiedev
Are you ready to leave other engines behind? 🤓
#gamedev #pico8 #indiedev
Create Your Gamedev Environment for PICO-8 in 7 minutes
After this article the perception of game development experience on PICO-8 will change for you, forever.
open.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:46 PM
There is a hack to design good game feel... It is called algebra.
Smooth and natural gameplay is usually powered by math, but don't be afraid, simple algebra can solve lot of things.
Arkanoi-8 (PICO-8) by Josh Millar collisions are calculated based on trigonometry.
#gamedev #learning
Smooth and natural gameplay is usually powered by math, but don't be afraid, simple algebra can solve lot of things.
Arkanoi-8 (PICO-8) by Josh Millar collisions are calculated based on trigonometry.
#gamedev #learning
November 25, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Reposted by José Pérez
Spoke to a number of devs about how, in the face of CEOs claiming gen-AI is the future, their declaration of being genAI free is making waves.
Indie game developers have a new sales pitch: being ‘AI free’
Indie game developers have a new sales pitch: being ‘AI free’
“We can produce results that meet our quality standards without its assistance.”
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Spoke to a number of devs about how, in the face of CEOs claiming gen-AI is the future, their declaration of being genAI free is making waves.
We can't master all the concepts behind gamedev, but we can identify them and go deeper when we need, the same way we would use a dictionary.
I want to introduce you to collisions and physics applied to Arkanoid, save it now, read it anytime later.
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #gamefeel
I want to introduce you to collisions and physics applied to Arkanoid, save it now, read it anytime later.
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #gamefeel
The Invisible Boundaries: Collisions and Physics
At videogames the forces of physics are ruled by pixels and maths, apples doesn't fall from trees without your design
www.gamedevpills.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:39 PM
We can't master all the concepts behind gamedev, but we can identify them and go deeper when we need, the same way we would use a dictionary.
I want to introduce you to collisions and physics applied to Arkanoid, save it now, read it anytime later.
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #gamefeel
I want to introduce you to collisions and physics applied to Arkanoid, save it now, read it anytime later.
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #gamefeel
Reposted by José Pérez
Re-sharing for #ScreenshotSaturday
For #TurnBasedThursday I am sharing a first attempt at a cloudy edge for my Dreamlands map.
#GameDev #CRPG #Dreamlands
store.steampowered.com/app/3998510/...
#GameDev #CRPG #Dreamlands
store.steampowered.com/app/3998510/...
November 15, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Re-sharing for #ScreenshotSaturday
Reposted by José Pérez
You decided to start gamedev, but you feel overwhelmed by Godot, Unity or Unreal? I understand that feeling.
You managed to make progress on Godot, but the scope of your project keeps growing? I've been there.
PICO-8 is here, create your first videogame on our workshop.
#pico8 #gamedev #indiedev
You managed to make progress on Godot, but the scope of your project keeps growing? I've been there.
PICO-8 is here, create your first videogame on our workshop.
#pico8 #gamedev #indiedev
Pico Workshop #1 - Creating UI Components
Create your first tiny PICO-8 videogame through workshops applying methodology and technical learning
open.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:10 PM
The arcade mindset never died, let's speak about the real root of videogames.
Today is the turn of Derek Yu, creator of Spelunky and UFO 50, one of my favourite devs when it comes to design, fun and enjoyment.
#gamedev #indiedev #derekyu
Today is the turn of Derek Yu, creator of Spelunky and UFO 50, one of my favourite devs when it comes to design, fun and enjoyment.
#gamedev #indiedev #derekyu
The Arcade Spirit Behind Spelunky - Masters of Indiedev
Exploring how Derek Yu turned the instant feedback of arcade play into a design process that rewards curiosity, iteration, and risk
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:39 PM
What’s the best game you played this October?
I just dropped our Industry Snapshot — a look at last month’s top-rated games, viral trends, and dev tools worth trying.
Our monthly recap before GTA VI is released :)
#gamedev #gameindustry #gamingnews
I just dropped our Industry Snapshot — a look at last month’s top-rated games, viral trends, and dev tools worth trying.
Our monthly recap before GTA VI is released :)
#gamedev #gameindustry #gamingnews
Videogames Industry Snapshot - October 2025
Top releases, trends and gamedev resources - state of the industry before GTA VI is released
open.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:25 PM
What’s the best game you played this October?
I just dropped our Industry Snapshot — a look at last month’s top-rated games, viral trends, and dev tools worth trying.
Our monthly recap before GTA VI is released :)
#gamedev #gameindustry #gamingnews
I just dropped our Industry Snapshot — a look at last month’s top-rated games, viral trends, and dev tools worth trying.
Our monthly recap before GTA VI is released :)
#gamedev #gameindustry #gamingnews
Reposted by José Pérez
our indie game:
- hand drawn by Celeste's pixel artist
- music by Disasterpeace
- a slow-burning horror RPG
- meet (or date) 10+ charming characters
- fast-paced combat
- customize your playstyle with crafted items and combat abilities
- build a new life on a remote island
- hand drawn by Celeste's pixel artist
- music by Disasterpeace
- a slow-burning horror RPG
- meet (or date) 10+ charming characters
- fast-paced combat
- customize your playstyle with crafted items and combat abilities
- build a new life on a remote island
October 29, 2025 at 6:23 PM
our indie game:
- hand drawn by Celeste's pixel artist
- music by Disasterpeace
- a slow-burning horror RPG
- meet (or date) 10+ charming characters
- fast-paced combat
- customize your playstyle with crafted items and combat abilities
- build a new life on a remote island
- hand drawn by Celeste's pixel artist
- music by Disasterpeace
- a slow-burning horror RPG
- meet (or date) 10+ charming characters
- fast-paced combat
- customize your playstyle with crafted items and combat abilities
- build a new life on a remote island
There are only few community driven videogames on the industry, the first Project Cars is probably the most well known.
Thinking about this concept under a smaller scope. Would you like to contribute with ideas during the design process of a solo gamedev project?
Likes = Of course (1/2)
#gamedev
Thinking about this concept under a smaller scope. Would you like to contribute with ideas during the design process of a solo gamedev project?
Likes = Of course (1/2)
#gamedev
November 1, 2025 at 7:44 AM
There are only few community driven videogames on the industry, the first Project Cars is probably the most well known.
Thinking about this concept under a smaller scope. Would you like to contribute with ideas during the design process of a solo gamedev project?
Likes = Of course (1/2)
#gamedev
Thinking about this concept under a smaller scope. Would you like to contribute with ideas during the design process of a solo gamedev project?
Likes = Of course (1/2)
#gamedev
Reposted by José Pérez
Continuing to develop my solo indie game and the demo is still live on Steam! Next steps are implementing feedback, refactoring code, and squashing bugs.
If you love uncomfortable horror, give it a play and let me know what you think!
#screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegames #indiedev #godot #icky
If you love uncomfortable horror, give it a play and let me know what you think!
#screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegames #indiedev #godot #icky
If you're looking for a quick Halloween play, check out my anxiety-riddled sci-fi horror visual novel demo! It's short, free, replayable... and it'll make you distinctly uncomfortable!
Claim it now on Steam:
store.steampowered.com/app/4093290/...
#visualnovel #horrorgame #indiedev #gamedev #godot
Claim it now on Steam:
store.steampowered.com/app/4093290/...
#visualnovel #horrorgame #indiedev #gamedev #godot
November 1, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Continuing to develop my solo indie game and the demo is still live on Steam! Next steps are implementing feedback, refactoring code, and squashing bugs.
If you love uncomfortable horror, give it a play and let me know what you think!
#screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegames #indiedev #godot #icky
If you love uncomfortable horror, give it a play and let me know what you think!
#screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegames #indiedev #godot #icky
Gamedev Inventory:
8BitDo Retro Keyboard - www.8bitdo.com/retro-mechan...
Miyoo Mini Plus as Pico-8 console - officialmiyoomini.com/es/
Tiny scope + creativity boost = Unique Projects completed
#gamedev #indiedev
8BitDo Retro Keyboard - www.8bitdo.com/retro-mechan...
Miyoo Mini Plus as Pico-8 console - officialmiyoomini.com/es/
Tiny scope + creativity boost = Unique Projects completed
#gamedev #indiedev
October 29, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Gamedev Inventory:
8BitDo Retro Keyboard - www.8bitdo.com/retro-mechan...
Miyoo Mini Plus as Pico-8 console - officialmiyoomini.com/es/
Tiny scope + creativity boost = Unique Projects completed
#gamedev #indiedev
8BitDo Retro Keyboard - www.8bitdo.com/retro-mechan...
Miyoo Mini Plus as Pico-8 console - officialmiyoomini.com/es/
Tiny scope + creativity boost = Unique Projects completed
#gamedev #indiedev
As a kid I turned a bedroom into my playground, I was the king of pirates.
Years later, I learned there was a concept for that feeling: The Magic Circle.
My new post dives into what happens when imagination, space, and rules turn into play.
#gamedesign #playfulthinking #gamedev
Years later, I learned there was a concept for that feeling: The Magic Circle.
My new post dives into what happens when imagination, space, and rules turn into play.
#gamedesign #playfulthinking #gamedev
Inside the Magic Circle: Understanding Why We Play
A reflection on space, rules, joy, challenge, and the invisible boundaries of play
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
As a kid I turned a bedroom into my playground, I was the king of pirates.
Years later, I learned there was a concept for that feeling: The Magic Circle.
My new post dives into what happens when imagination, space, and rules turn into play.
#gamedesign #playfulthinking #gamedev
Years later, I learned there was a concept for that feeling: The Magic Circle.
My new post dives into what happens when imagination, space, and rules turn into play.
#gamedesign #playfulthinking #gamedev
Ever played a game that made you want to make games?
For me, that was Fez.
This week I explored its art, gameplay and development process
Bonus: Fez reimagined on Pico-8 Palette 🎨
#gamedev #indiedev #Fez #pixelart
For me, that was Fez.
This week I explored its art, gameplay and development process
Bonus: Fez reimagined on Pico-8 Palette 🎨
#gamedev #indiedev #Fez #pixelart
A Masterpiece Lost in Its Own Dimension, The Making Of Fez - Masters of Indiedev
The beauty of Fez and the fury of its creator
www.gamedevpills.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Learning game development isn’t about finding the perfect engine or watching endless tutorials
it’s about small wins, patience, and discipline. Because it is a complex area.
I’ve gathered a few lessons and reflections that might help you stay on track too.
#gamedev #indiedev #learning
it’s about small wins, patience, and discipline. Because it is a complex area.
I’ve gathered a few lessons and reflections that might help you stay on track too.
#gamedev #indiedev #learning
What I Learned After Failing, Restarting, and Building Games Again
How I turned frustration into progress through discipline, limitations, and small wins
open.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Reposted by José Pérez
game design is such an embarrassingly human endeavor. you stumble through iterations, lost in the woods like 20 times even tho this happened on your last game. The real magical games somehow feel like… the result of that process. Something was FOUND after the SEARCHING. So cool. Let’s keep doing it
October 13, 2025 at 7:01 AM
game design is such an embarrassingly human endeavor. you stumble through iterations, lost in the woods like 20 times even tho this happened on your last game. The real magical games somehow feel like… the result of that process. Something was FOUND after the SEARCHING. So cool. Let’s keep doing it